Oregon - the land of Lewis & Clark, public beaches and big bridges

 Okay, if you are a Vashon Island neighbor (particularly if you live on the water), plug your ears

I hate how the beaches are not public in Washington.

It's sort of crazy. On Vashon, it is almost armed warfare sometimes, with property owners getting VERY angry if you walk on the beach.  There is a whole complicated formula you can quote them about when you walk on the beach, but every time I get crosswise with one of these people, I think of this:

I miss Oregon.

Bob and I started our young married lives in Portland.  We met dear friends we still know today. We lived in an adorable house that cost about six cents. We explored Oregon history with weekend road trips. And, when those weekends brought us to the ocean, we enjoyed it to our heart's desire. Because Oregon, well, decided the beaches are for everyone. And they have belonged to everyone since 1967. And doesn't that sort of make sense?

There are other things I miss about Oregon sometimes.  I feel a lot of sentimentality for that young married couple of 30 years ago or so, their puppy Otis and their baby, Emma.  So much began for us here. Oregon is a beautiful state, everywhere from Hell's Canyon to Crater Lake, Mt. Hood to the beautiful beaches of Seaside. And there is such a sense of history -- in the buildings and in the natural surroundings. It just sort of feels Lewis and Clark-y to me.

Today, my first day of my roadtrip, I drove through Raymond and South Bend in SW Washington, before finding my way to the Astoria Bridge.  I had an amazing lunch at Bridgewater Bistro near the bridge, checked out the spectactular Astoria Column, with its 360-degree view, and meandered to Seaside in Oregon.  I took a walk among all the tourists, enjoyed the famous promenade and strolled on the beach.  I feel like I have already been here forever, and I left Vashon this morning!

Tomorrow I explore Cannon Beach, including Ecola State Park and its fabulous caves, and spend another night in Seaside.

The weather here is stunning. Oregon, I have missed you.

One bittersweet note: Washington has that weird law that requires every person to show their ID when buying alcohol, regardless of age.  I was buying a bottle of white wine and whipped out my ID at the store tonight. The confused clerk said, "Err, that's ok. I was not going to card you." Ouch.

Oh well.  I will go and walk off my embarrassment with a long stroll on the beach. After all, it belongs to me!

Next stop: Cannon Beach!

 Astoria!

Lewis and Clark have statues everywhere. Next time you visit Seaside, check out their Salt Works.  https://www.nps.gov/places/the-salt-works.htm 

Yep. This was the sky. And NO WIND. Ocean Shores, Washington, eat your heart out!

The Astoria Column, where you can look in all directions from the top.

Bye-bye, Washington!  See you at trip's end!